The working hours for teachers in primary and secondary schools will undergo a review, as stated by the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, during a recent address in Labasa. This response comes after reports surfaced of school heads requiring teachers to stay until 4 PM for meetings, which has caused inconveniences regarding their personal obligations, such as banking and returning home on time.

Radrodro emphasized the importance of ensuring that teachers have a positive working environment and expressed the need for open communication between teachers and school heads regarding their responsibilities outside classroom hours. “We must review concerns as such to ensure our teachers enjoy their working environment, especially the restriction of allowing teachers going out of the school,” he remarked. The review aims to assess how best to balance professional duties and personal time for educators.

In recent communication from the Ministry, it was highlighted that the established working hours for teachers are from 8 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 3 PM on Fridays. This structure is aligned with public service work hours, recognizing teachers as civil servants.

In light of ongoing discussions on teacher welfare—echoed in previous articles—Radrodro noted the significant role that school leaders play in managing both teachers and students. Addressing the complexities of teacher performance and staffing shortages, he reiterated the value of collaboration among educational stakeholders, including unions, to ensure effective solutions are implemented.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment to enhance the work-life balance for teachers, thus generating a more supportive educational environment. As discussions progress, there is hope that these changes will lead to improvements not only in teacher satisfaction but also in overall educational outcomes for students.

In summary, as the Ministry of Education takes steps to reassess teachers’ working conditions, this undertaking could signify a positive shift towards improving both emotional and professional support for educators in Fiji. The commitment from the government signals a recognition of teachers’ contributions and the need to prioritize their well-being, fostering an environment conducive to quality education.